Feeler-motion for looms



E. S. STHVIPSON.

FEELER MOTION FOR LOOMS;

APPLICATION FILED FEB-16,1916.

Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

ans

ENT

FFTCE.

EDWARD S. STIMPSON, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, 'BY MESNE' ASSIGN- MEN TS, TO DRAPER CORPORATION, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS,A CORPORATION F MAINE.

FEELER-MOTION FOR LOOMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 16,1916. Serial No. 78,586.

To all whom it may concern "Be it known that I, EDWARD S. STIMPSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hopedale, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, vhave invented an Improvement in F eeler-Motions for Looms, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on thedrawings representing like parts.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to feeler motions for looms, whereby when the filling in the active shuttle becomes nearly exhausted, a train of mechanism is caused to be actuated to effect a change in the condition of the loom or filling replenishment.

Looms containing feeler motions to effect the result stated are generally known as feeler looms, and replenishment of filling may be effected either by changing the nearly-exhausted filling carrier or bobbin in the shuttle for a fresh carrier or bobbin having a working supply of filling wound thereon or by changing the shuttle for another containing a working supply of filling.

Feeler mechanisms must be sensitive and responsive either to the presence or absence of a working supply of filling in the shuttle, and usually comprise a feeler member which upon each detecting beat of the lay enters the shuttle and feelers for the filling therein.- In some forms of feeler motions so long as a working supply of filling remains in the shuttle, the end of the feeler member engages the filling on a detecting beat and is held by the filling from movement in a direction to cause initiation of filling replen ishment, but when the filling becomes substantially exhausted and only sufiieient remainst in'the shuttle to extend one or more times across the lay, the feeler member is moved to set a train of mechanism in condition to effect replenishment. Y

Should the feeler member detect substantial exhaustion of the filling and consequently be moved into position for causing replenishment of filling, it is essential that it be returned to initial or feeling position and this should preferably be done prior to the next detaching beat of the lay. An im-' portant feature of the present invention, therefore, conslsts in means for returning the feeler member to initial or feeling position.

WVhen a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat and the lay moves back, the feeler member is freed from the holding control of the filling and it is liable to be moved from its initial or tion into f ractical effect, and the various features 0 the invention will be defined in the claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of sufficient portions of a loom to show the present invention associated therewith, some of the parts being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view with some of the parts broken away and showing the operation of the device when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, showing "the operation when the filling in the shuttle is substantially exhausted.

The present invention is especially applicable to automatic looms, wherein filling replenishing mechanism is rendered effective to provide a fresh supply of filling when that in the active shuttle is nearly exhausted, but obviously, it might be employed in connection with other trains of mechanism.

The loom frame 1, only part of which is shown in the drawings, ,may be of any usual character, and is illustrated as being provided with the usual shipper stand 2 in the slot 8 of which the shipper 4 is movable.

Mounted in suitable bearings 5 and appropriately secured to the loom frame or breast beam as at 6, is the change or rock shaft 7 which may be connected as usual in this'general type of loom, to suitable means at the opposite side ofthe loom for initiating filling replenishment when the shaft is rocked, all as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

Secured to and rising from the transverse shaft 7 is an arm 8 having pivotally connected thereto at 9, an arm 10 which, for identification, may hereinafter be termed the actuator, because through its movement by the means to be described, it turns or actuates the transverse shaft 7 in opposition to its usual spring-holding means to initiate the replenishing operation.

Adjustably secured to the shipper stand 2. or other appropriate supporting means, is the feeler stand 11. In the present form of the invention, the stand 11 is provided with a slot 12 through which passes the screw bolt 13, whereby the stand may be adjustably secured in operative position.

Pivotally mounted on the feeler stand 11 at 14, is the feeler carrier 15 having the shouldered portions 16 and 17. These shouldered portions 16 and 17 may be variously formed and are provided with openings through which extend the feeler 18. The feeler 18 is preferably formed as a light metal piece having its filling engaging end provided with a series of teeth 19. The feeler 18 is provided with a collar or shoulder 20 against which bears one end of the sprin 21, the other end whereof rests against the abutment 16, the construction being such that the feeler 18 is normally pressed rearwardly into the osition indicated in Fig. 1, such position eing its feeling position.

\Vhen the feeler is in feeling position as just described, and the lay 22, Fig. 1,makes its detecting beat, the end 19 of the feeler will enter the usual side openings or slot 23 in the front wall of the shuttle-box 24 and the adjacent wall of the shuttle 25 and contact with the filling 26 on the carrier or bob bin 27, and be moved frontward on the further forward movement of the lay.

Iivotally connected to the feeler carrier at 28 is a rod 29, the opposite end of which is connected at 30 to a bell crank 31 pivoted at 32 upon the stand 33 rising from the breast beam or shipper stand. The rod 29 adjacent the bell crank lever described passes through a guide opening 34 whereby the longitudinal movement of the rod is appropriately guided.

The present invention contemplates that the pivotally-mounted feeler carrier 15 shall be normally under the influence of means tending to swing the carrier about its pivot 14, and to this end the rod 29 which is connected to the pivoted carrier is provided with a collar 35 which may be adjustably secured in appropriate position upon the rod by a set screw 36 or other appropriate means, and between the collar '35 and the stand 33 is interposed a spring 37 the normal tendency of which is to move the rod 29 longitudinally to the left, Fig. 1, and if the feeler carrier 15 is free to move and feeler in their feeling position as indiin response to this action of the spring 37, such movement of the feeler carrier and feeler will take place.

In order to maintain the feeler carrier cated in Fig. 1 when the feeler itself is in its rearward position, the feeler stand 11 is provided with a stop or abutment 38, the side portion of which at 39 is adapted to be engaged by the collar 20 on the feeler 18 when said feeler is projected rearwardly by its spring 21. Thestop 38 is also preferably provided with an incline or cam portion 40 which, as will hereinafter appear, may act in connection with the collar 20 with a tendency to move the feeler carrier 15 on its pivot into feeling position, as 1ndicated in Fig. 1, under the impulse of the feeler actuating spring 21. Feeler mechanisms are necessarily delicate and sensitive, and the best results are found to be secured when the spring 21 of the feeler is of light character and it may not, therefore, be suihciently strong to return the feeler carrler and feeler to feeling position when they have been moved from such position upon the detection of substantial exhaustion of filling.

From the construction thus far described, it will be apparent that when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle and the lay makes its detecting beat-up movement. the end 19 of the feeler will engage the filling mass in the shuttle and be moved frontwardly thereby, thus moving the collar 20 out of engagement with the stop and submitting the feeler and feeler carrier to the full action of the spring 37 tending to move them on the pivot 14- lVhen, however, the filling in the shuttle is sufficient in quantity to continue weaving, it will, by en gagement with the end 19 of the feeler, hold the feeler from movement responsive to the spring 37 as the lay beats up. This action of the filling and the feeler when a working supply of filling is present, is indicated in Fig. 2, wherein it will be noted that the collar 20 has been moved frontward away from the stop 38, but the feeler carrier and feeler are held from movement to the left responsive to the spring 37, by engagement of the toothed end 19 of the feeler with the mass of filling on the filling carrier or bobbin.

Should the filling have become substantially exhausted, however, and there remain on the filling carrier or bobbin only sufficient to make one, two, or more picks, the end 19 of the feeler will engage the surface of the filling carrier or bobbin and fail to be held by the small amount of filling remaining thereon against movement respon- S1Ve to the spring 37 so that as the lay continues its forward movement and carries the collar 20 of the feeler away from the stop 38 as indicated in Fig. 3, the spring 37 will move the feeler carrier on its pivot 14 and cause the feeler to move in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle.

The present invention contemplates that upon such longitudinal movement of the feeler, parts will be positioned to initiate filling replenishment. As one means to this end the bell cranklever 31 has its end 41 projected in position to effect movement of the actuator 10 when the feeler carrier and feeler move as described, upon substantial exhaustion of the filling. In the present instance, the bell crank lever 31 has its end projected beneath the actuator 10 and when the feeler carrier and feeler move as described, upon exhaustion of filling, the actuator 10 is lifted, thereby carrying its end 42 into the path of an operating member. The operating member in the present instance may be the weft hammer or cam follower, or it may be a art connected thereto and movable therewit as indicated at 43. In the present instance it is shown as a part connected to the cam follower and is provided with a head 44 having a socket 45 for engaging the end 42 of the actuator, the construction being such that when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle and the feeler carrier and feeler are consequently prevented by the filling from movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle as the lay beats up, the end 42 of the actuator will be normally below the head 44 of the operating member. When, hows ever, the filling has become substantially exhausted, and the feeler carrier and feeler consequently respond to the spring 37 and move in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle as described, the end 41 of the bell crank 31 will lift the end 42 of the actuator into the position to be engaged by the head 44 of the operating member, and upon further frontward movement of the actuator, will cause the change or transverse shaft to be rocked and filling replenishment initiated.

As the lay goes back after a detecting beat-up movement, with a working sup-ply of filling present in the shuttle, it is de-' sirable that the feeler be held in position to allow its spring 21 to project the feeler into its rearward position as indicated in Fig. 1. To this end the invention contemplates providing the actuator and operating member with .coacting parts which, when a working supply of filling is present on a detecting beat, and the actuator is consequently not moved from its normal position, will engage and remain engaged after the critical point of detection has been passed, to maintain the actuator in its normal position and prevent the feeler carrier and feeler responding to the demands of the spring 37 when the collar 20 of the feeler is out of engagement with the stop 38. In the presentv instance, the actuator '10 is provided with a flange 46 extending moves frontward and the feeler has indicated a working supply offilling present, the construction being such that when the flange 46 is engaged beneath the lower edge portion 47 of the head 4-4, the actuator 10 is prevented from rising movement and through the bell crank 31 and connections with the feeler carrier, will perforce'prevent movement of the feeler carrier and feeler in a direction longitudinally of' the shuttle even though the end 19 of the feeler failed to be held by the filling in the shuttle.

When the feeler has detected substantial exhaustion of filling as indicated in Fig. 3, and has in consequence been moved longitudinally of the shuttle, and the bell crank 31 has lifted the end of the actuator 10 for engagement by the head 44 of the operating member, and filling replenishment has been initiated, it is desirable that the feeler carrier be moved longitudinally of the shuttle in the opposite direction, to enable the feeler 18 to be forced by its spring into its rear- 21 of the feeler may return the feeler 1'8 I to its rearward or feeling position without obstruction by the stop 38.

During this action of theactuator, it is desirable that any further upward movement of'the actuator be prevented, and to this end the head 44 is provided with the socketed portion 45 as clescrlbed, whlch maintains the end 42 of the actuator in unchanged operating relation with the operating member as the actuator moves frontward and over the end 41 of the bell crank lever. From the construction described as a convenient form of the present invention, it will be noted that when a working supply of filling is present, the head 44 of the operating member will travel over the flange 46 of the actuator 10 during the frontward movement of the operating member and thereby prevent the feeler carrier and feeler frommovement longitudinally of the shuttle and enable the feeler spring to return it to feeler position. When the filling has become practically exhausted, however, and the actuator has been lifted into engagement with the operating member, the cam 48 on the actuator during the frontward movement thereof, will turn the bell crank and through the connections described, move the feeler carrier back to initial position to permit the feeler spring to return the feeler to feeling position.

lVhat is claimed is 1. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of an actuator for initiating filling replenishment, operating means for said actuator, a feeler for governing the operative relation of said actuator and operating means, means normally acting to move the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and prevented from effecting such movement by engagement of the feeler on detecting beats with the mass of filling until the filling is substantially exhausted, and a part actuated by frontward movement of the actuator in effecting replenishment of filling to reset the feeler.

2. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a feeler, means normally acting to move the feeler and prevented from effecting such movement on a detecting beat of the lay by engagen'ient of the feeler with the filling until such filling is substantially exhausted, an actuator for initiating filling replenishment by frontward movement of the actuator, an operator for said actuator, and means rendered effective by frontward movement of the actuator after the feeler has been moved longitudinally of the shuttle upon substantial exhaustion of the filling to return the feeler to feeling position.

'3. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a feeler, an actuator having a frontward movement for effecting a change in the loom condition, an operating member for so moving the actuator, connections be tween the feeler and actuator normally acting to move the actuator into operative relation with the operating member and prevented from efi'ecting such movement by engagement of the feeler with the filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat until substantial exhaustion of the filling, and a cam part carried by the actuator and acting through said connections as the actuator is moved frontwardly to return the feeler to feeling position after it has been moved upon sub stantial exhaustion of the filling.

4. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a feeler, an actuator having a frontward movement to initiate filling replenishment, an operating member for moving the actuator frontwardly, connections between the feeler and actuator normally acting -to move the feeler and operatively position the actuator and prevented from eflecting such movements of the feeler and actuator by engagement of the feeler with the filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat until substant al exhaustion of the filling,

said actuator and connections having parts adapted to be engaged as the actuator is moved frontwardly by its operating member to return the feeler to initial position after it has been moved upon substantial exhaustion of filling.

5. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a feeler, means normally acting to move the feeler and prevented from effecting such movement by engagement of the feeler with the filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat of the lay until substantial exhaustion of filling, an actuator associated with said means to be operatively positioned thereby, an operating member having a head portion to override the end of the actuator and prevent movement of the actuator by said means when the feeler fails to be moved by said means as the lay beats up.

6. In a feeler motion for looms. the combination of a feeler, means normally acting to move the feeler and prevented from effecting such movement by engagement of the feeler with the filling in the shuttle 'on a detecting beat of the lay until substantial exhaustion of filling, said means including a lever, an actuator extending across the path of lever movement and the position of which is adapted to be changed by said lever, an operating member for engaging and moving the actuator when operatively positioned and having a part to engage the actuator and prevent movement thereof by said lever when the feeler fails to be moved by its ,normally acting means on a detectin beat of the lay.

In a feeler motion, the combination of a feeler, means normally acting to move it on a detaching beat of the lay and prevented from effecting such movement by engagement of the feeler with the filling in the shuttle until substantial exhaustion of the filling, a bell crank lever connected to said means, an actuator associated with said lever, an operating member for'said actuator having a part to prevent movement of the actuator by said lever. provided the feeler has not detected substantial exhaustion of the filling, and a part carried by-the actuator to move the lever and return the feeler to initial position provided the feeler has detected substantial exhaustion of 8. A feeler motion comprising in combination, a feeler, an actuator for initiating filling replenishment, operating means for the actuator, connections between the feeler and actuator including lever means for moving the actuator relatively to the operating means, a head carried by the operating means and having a part to prevent movement of the actuator by the lever when on a detecting beat the feeler has not detected substantial exhaustion of filling, and means movable by the actuator and acting through. said lever for returning the feeler to initial? position after it has detected substantial exhaustion of filling.

9. A feeler motion comprising in combination, a feeler, an actuator and operating means therefor, devices between the feeler and actuator including a lever member for controlling the positionof the actuator by the feeler, said operating means having a head provided with a part for engaging and moving the actuator after it has been positioned by the said lever member and another part for engaging said actuator and preventing movement thereof by said lever member when said feeler and lever member have not been previously moved.

10. A feeler motion for looms, comprising a feeler, an actuator and an operating member, devices between the feeler and actuator including a bell crank for controlling the position of the actuator by the feeler, a head carried by the operating member and having a socketed portion for engagement with the actuator when the latter has been moved into operative position, and a projection carried by the actuator over which the head of the operating member travels when the actuator has not been moved to operative position.

11. In a feeler mechanism for looms, th combination of a feeler movable longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, an actuator, an operating member for moving the actuator, a bell crank lever, one arm of which operates the actuator for moving it into position to be engaged by the operat ing member, and a rod connecting the other arm of the bell crank lever and feeler so that movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted operates the bell cran'k lever.

12. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a feeler movable longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substan: tially exhausted, an actuator having a cam portion, an ,operating member for moving the actuator to initiate filling replenishment, a bell crank lever having one arm connected to the feeler and the other in operative relation with the actuator and projecting into longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, an actuator and its operating member, a bell crank lever one arm of which controls the position of the actuator relative. to the operating member, an endwise movable rod connecting the other arm of the bell crank lever and feeler, to cause the bell crank to operatively position the actuator and operating member when the feeler is moved longitudinally of the shuttle.

14. A feeler motion for looms, comprising, in combination, a feeler movable longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, an actuator, an operating member, for moving the actuator to effect replenishment of filling, a bell-crank lever pivotally mounted to move in a plane intersecting the plane of movement of the actuator and having one arm extending into operative relation with the actuator, and a rod connected to the other arm of the bell-crank lever and adapted to be moved longitudinally when the feeler is displaced longitudinally of the shuttle that the bell-crank lever may operatively position the actuator and operating member.

15. A feeler motion for looms, comprising, in combination, a feeler movable longitudinally'of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, an actuator, an operating member for moving the actuator to efiect replenishment of filling, a bell-crank lever pivotally mounted to move in a plane intersecting the plane of movement of the actuator and having one arm extending into operative relation with the actuator, and a rod connected to the other arm of the bell-crank lever, a spring for moving the rod longitudinally and turning tlfe bell-crank lever when the feeler is displaced longitudinally of the shuttle.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

EDWARD S. STIMPSON. 

